Achievers: Class acts of election 2014

Gaffes become the stuff of memory and legend. Quiet, effective work goes unnoticed. Noisy candidates and stunts draw media attention. Class acts often play to small audiences.

As the 2014 election campaign winds down, there seem to be as many big drips on the ballot as are coming out of the sky. But . . . As an antidote to yesterday’s “Dubious Achievers,” here are some campaigns, candidates and personalities who are doing us proud:

House Speaker Frank Chopp: A show horse he isn’t. An effective advocate for change, he is and has been for 30 years. (Photo by Joshua Trujillo, seattlepi.com)

–House Speaker Frank Chopp: He is challenged from the far left this year, by a Socialist Alternative candidate who has gotten herself arrested during a protest against oil trains. Chopp has done something tangible. He helped pass HB 2347, legislation of such quality that Republicans quashed it in the state Senate.

HB 2347 establishes a community right to know and track the movement of oil through the state of Washington. It gives the Department of Ecology authority to require tug escorts in the Columbia River and Grays Harbor. It authorizes immediate study of critical gaps in the state’s transportation safety net.

Some folks prefer backstage to center stage. So it is, constructively, with Chopp.

–Cheryl Stumbo: Stumbo was horribly wounded in 2006 when an assassin shot up offices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle. She has become the passionate public messenger of Initiative 594, the ballot measure to close the “gun show loophole.”

Stumbo has hit the streets for the cause. She vowed to collect 594 ballot petition, reached that goal and just kept going. She has been a catalyst at legislative hearings, lunches, marches and rallies.

Cheryl Stumbo, the wounded warrior of the Initiative 594 campaign. Injured in the 2006 Jewish Federation shooting, she has emerged as tireless advocate for closing the “gun show loophole.” Joshua Trujillo, seattlepi.com)

–Volunteers: Campaign consultants make a potful of money off the glossy, nasty direct mail pieces that travel from your post box to your garbage pail. The folks packing candidates’ headquarters and making phonecalls are doing it for nothing.

Shoe leather has become a political weapon, even in post-Citizens United politics. Get-out-the-vote efforts are critical. So is putting a human face on campaigns. Whatever you think of Socialist Alternative, they have impressively put thousands of hangers on doors in the 43rd District.

O.K., Washington has its billionaire donors. But we also have one of America’s highest levels of political participation.

–Rep. Norma Smith: The legislator from Whidbey Island is strongly conservative, but a yea-saying Republican. She and Democratic Rep. Drew Hansen were responsible for one of Olympia’s best recent bipartisan initiatives. It was inspired when a crabbing boat, the Deep Sea, sank off Coupeville and endangered the shellfish industry of nearby Penn Cove.

The legislation requires vessels carry marine insurance. It prohibits sale of unseaworthy boats more than 40 years old and 65 feet long. It imposes stiff penalties to hold accountable those who try to walk away after creating environmental messes. It has helped persuade lots of Democrats to vote for Smith.

–Pramila Jayapal: An emigrant from Indian, Jayapal has made her mark as one of Seattle’s most effective social justice advocates. She was instrumental in the post-9/11 “Hate Free Zone” campaign, fought for the DREAM Act as head of OneAmerica, and co-chaired the committee screening candidates for Seattle police chief.

She is now all-but-certain to be elected state senator from the 37th District. Jayapal is going to be a force, and capable coalition builder, whoever runs the Legislature’s upper chamber.

Jayapal will be odds-on choice to succeed U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, if Smith moves on to a Cabinet job after the 2016 election.

–Satpal Sidhu: The immigrant community has produced more than one outstanding candidate for the Legislature. Satpal Sidhu is a former dean at Bellingham Technical College, educator, engineer, one candidate talking about jobs who has actually helped create jobs.

Sidhu has surprised Democrats with his self-starting House campaign in Whatcom County. It’s no surprise up there where he is a sought-after civic activist. The 42nd District’s boundaries are stacked against him.

Still, in words of the Bellingham Herald, “Sidhu’s candidacy is an opportunity not to be missed” as the Legislature tackles the morass of education spending.

–U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer: Kilmer stepped into giant shoes (with football cleats) when he succeeded Norm Dicks in Congress. He’s had an outstanding first term. He navigated D.C. gridlock to get through a small, historically significant piece of legislation, recognizing the name of the Bainbridge Island Japanese-American Exclusion Memorial.

Kilmer has seemingly been everywhere. He was at the gates of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, when House leaders stumbled into a forced furlough of federal workers. He raised hell over Victoria’s not treating the raw sewage it dumps into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. He listened, then carefully crafted a wild Olympics preservation proposal with Sen. Patty Murray.

Beneath the aw-shucks style, Kilmer is a politician of values and convictions.

Rev. Sandy Brown, left, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, right, bow their heads in prayer before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Rev. Sandy Brown, left, and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, right, bow their heads in prayer before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, left, is joined by Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner, center right, and Rev. Sandy Brown, right, while speaking before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, left, is joined by Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner, center right, and Rev. Sandy Brown, right, while speaking before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, listens to remarks by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, listens to remarks by Seattle Mayor Ed Murray before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Genjo Marinello, left, of Seattle Zen Temple, clutches his completed ballot during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Genjo Marinello, left, of Seattle Zen Temple, clutches his completed ballot during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Supporters stop to pray to a speaker's words at Plymouth Congregational Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Supporters stop to pray to a speaker's words at Plymouth Congregational Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Genjo Marinello, of Seattle Zen Temple, clutches his completed ballot during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Genjo Marinello, of Seattle Zen Temple, clutches his completed ballot during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, left, speaks with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, right, before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, left, speaks with Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, right, before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Daniel A. Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, performs a song for a crowd before heading out on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Daniel A. Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, performs a song for a crowd before heading out on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Supporters drop completed ballot envelopes into a ballot box outside of the King County Administration Building at the conclusion of a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Supporters drop completed ballot envelopes into a ballot box outside of the King County Administration Building at the conclusion of a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray speaks before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray speaks before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, right, raises his ballot alongside others before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Rev. Steve Thomason, of St. Mark's Cathedral, right, raises his ballot alongside others before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Ke'Juan Livingston, left, leads attendees in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Ke'Juan Livingston, left, leads attendees in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Marchers take part in a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Marchers take part in a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, left, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, left, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Waving completed ballots, marchers take part in a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Waving completed ballots, marchers take part in a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, center, joins attendees on a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Daniel A. Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, listen in before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Daniel A. Weiner, Senior Rabbi of Temple De Hirsch Sinai, listen in before a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Marchers take a break to listen to a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Marchers take a break to listen to a mini sermon at Seattle First Baptist Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Supporters stop to listen in on a speaker at Plymouth Congregational Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Supporters stop to listen in on a speaker at Plymouth Congregational Church during a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Attendees take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Rev. Sandy Brown, right, and partner Theresa Elliott, left, drop completed ballot envelopes into a ballot box outside of the King County Administration Building at the conclusion of a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Rev. Sandy Brown, right, and partner Theresa Elliott, left, drop completed ballot envelopes into a ballot box outside of the King County Administration Building at the conclusion of a march against gun ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Ke'Juan Livingston, center, joins in with attendees to take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The initiative makes sure anyone buying a gun in Washington State passes the same background check, no matter where they buy the gun and no matter whom they buy it from. (Jordan Stead, seattlepi.com) less

Ke'Juan Livingston, center, joins in with attendees to take part in a march against gun violence in support of the Seattle faith community's I-594 campaign Sunday, October 19, 2014, in Seattle, Washington. The ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD / SEATTLEPI.COM

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Achievers: Class acts of election 2014

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–Seattle faith leaders: They gathered at Temple de Hirsch Sinai a week after the Newtown, Conn., assassinations, and started a movement that will make national news on Tuesday night. “Unchurched” Seattle’s religious community was the driving force behind Initiative 594.

The past two years have produced cathedral-to-cathedral marches, frustration in the Legislature, a ballot initiative, and now a $10 million campaign. Where has the National Rifle Association ducked a fight? Here, that’s where.

The Emerald City’s reborn ecumenical movement will make itself felt on other issues.